Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2020 are for candidates from high income Commonwealth countries, for full-time doctoral study at a UK university commencing in January 2021. These scholarships are funded by the UK Department for Education in conjunction with UK universities to support world class research and to contribute to UK higher education and research to help sustain international recognition of the UK higher education system and for the benefit of wider society.
Deadline to apply is 20 July, 2020.
The CSC does not offer scholarships to candidates from high income Commonwealth countries who have already started their PhD study in the UK.
Eligibility
To apply for these fellowships, interested candidates must:
- Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country
- Show evidence that you are permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country. You must have lived in an eligible Commonwealth country for a continuous period of five years within the last ten years. If the CSC is unable to determine this from your application, you will be contacted to provide further evidence.
- Be available to start your academic studies in the UK between January/February 2021 (to be agreed by the CSC)
- Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree) by the time of submitting your scholarship application
- Not be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK university before January 2021
- Not have commenced and be currently registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, in your home country or elsewhere
- Hold an unconditional offer from your chosen university/universities listed on your CSC online application, at the point of being notified that you have been provisionally selected for an award by the CSC*
- References from at least 2 individuals
- A supporting statement from a proposed supervisor at one or more of the UK universities
- Provided all supporting documentation in the required format
See a list of eligible Commonwealth countries here.
Apply
Interested candidates must apply directly to the CSC using the CSC’s online application system. The CSC will not accept any applications that are not submitted via the online application system. Candidates are not required to apply via a nominating body for these scholarships.
Only one application per applicant for these scholarships will be accepted.
Application deadline: Your application must be submitted by 17:00 (BST) on 20 July 2020 at the latest.
Candidates are advised to complete and submit their application as soon as possible, as the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline.
Supporting documentation: Your application must include the following supporting documentation by 17:00 (BST) on 10 August 2020
Click the button below to see the official scholarship description, including supporting documentation information, full eligibility criteria, and general conditions of the award.